Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the Middle East in 2024

On February 8, 2024, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations hosted a discussion titled “Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the Middle East in 2024.” The program featured former United States diplomats Ambassador (Ret.) Michael Gfoeller and Mr. David H. Rundell. It was moderated by Colonel (Ret.) Abbas K. Dahouk, with Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, the President and CEO of the Council, joining them for the proceedings.

The specialists provided analysis on the prospects of U.S. engagement with Iran and its proxies in the region after the recent deaths of three U.S. military service members in Jordan in an attack by the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization militia. The specialists also discussed the war in Gaza and prospects for a ceasefire agreement, looking in particular at U.S. diplomacy and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s fifth visit to the region since the events of October 7, 2023.

 

 

Joining the program were:

Featured Specialists:

Moderator:

  • Colonel (Ret.) Abbas K. Dahouk, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Board of Directors Member; Former U.S. Department of State Senior Military Advisor; Former U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia Defense and Army Attache; HyphenPoint LLC President.

Introduction:

The discussion can be viewed on the National Council’s YouTube channel.

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Announces Landmark Executive Leadership Transition

H. Delano Roosevelt Appointed New President and CEO as Organization Founder Dr. John Duke Anthony Becomes Strategic Advisor

Washington, D.C., U.S.A.: As it marks its 40th anniversary, the Board of Directors of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (“National Council” or “Council”), an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization, is proud to announce that Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt has been appointed the National Council’s second President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2023. Founding President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. John Duke Anthony will retire on September 30, 2023. He will remain with the Council as a Strategic Advisor to the new President and CEO.

Mr. Roosevelt remarked: “It is with great pleasure and humility that I accept the position of President and CEO of the National Council. I have enjoyed being associated with this splendid organization for many years and would like to thank the Board of Directors for having the confidence in me to serve them and the Council in this new capacity for years to come. I would also like to thank Dr. John Duke Anthony for his added confidence and very much look forward to working with him in his new capacity as Founding Senior Advisor.”

Mr. Roosevelt is the grandson of former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and a descendant of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. He has an extensive history of professional and philanthropic engagement in the Arab region, and has served on the National Council’s Board of Directors and its International Advisory Committee for many years. His dedication to building bridges of friendship and pursuing peace through mutual understanding positions him well to guide the Council into its next era.

Under the leadership of Dr. Anthony, the National Council has spent the past four decades tirelessly pursuing its mission to enhance American knowledge and understanding of the Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world. Since 1983, the organization has played a vital role in nurturing dialogue, fostering educational initiatives, and cultivating exchanges between the United States and the Arab region. The Council’s Board of Directors expressed their gratitude to Dr. Anthony for his long and distinguished service.

Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt (at podium) and Dr. John Duke Anthony (seated at table) sharing the stage at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 2022 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference.

Dr. Anthony, who was intimately involved in the selection process, said: “I am thrilled that my trusted colleague and dear friend will be taking up the mantle. The United States and America’s friends, allies, and strategic partners will be pleased with this announcement. One could not ask for a more qualified individual with whom to work in our quest to place the cultural and people-to-people components of the Arab-U.S. relationship on the firmest foundation possible.

“It is my firm belief that only through education, understanding, and cultural exchange can Americans and Arabs alike be more aware and appreciative of the mutually reciprocal ties that link us in myriad ways, which are the envy of the rest of the world. Going forward, education and exchange between our two peoples will continue to serve humanity and make our world a better place.”

The National Council will celebrate its 40th Anniversary at a gala to be held on November 16, 2023, at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington. The evening program will include a silent auction, music and entertainment, keynote remarks, and the recognition of several outstanding leaders. In addition to commemorating four decades of Council programs, projects, events, and activities, the event will also celebrate Dr. Anthony’s legacy of academic scholarship and promoting dialogue. As it marks four decades of advancing mutual understanding, the Council looks forward to building on its work and charting a course ahead in pursuit of its educational mission.

About the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations: Founded in 1983 and based in Washington, D.C., the National Council is an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab region. Information about the Council’s programs, projects, publications, public affairs events, and outreach activities can be found at ncusar.org.

Remarks from H. Delano Roosevelt [2022 Arab-US Policymakers Conference]

The 31st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, Arab-U.S. Uncertainties: What Lies Ahead?, convened at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., on November 2-3, 2022. These are some of the conference proceedings.

 

 
“Remarks from H. Delano Roosevelt”

Featuring:

Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt – National Council International Advisory Board Member.

The Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference is the signature annual symposium organized and administered by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations.

How to Grow U.S.-GCC Trade, Economic Cooperation, and Investment Opportunities?

On September 21, 2021, the National Council convened an online program exploring “How to Grow U.S.-GCC Trade, Economic Cooperation, and Investment Opportunities?”

 

 

Joining the program were:

Featured Specialists:

  • Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, U.S.-Saudi Business Council President and CEO; Former Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce Chairman.
  • Mr. Christopher Johnson, Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce Chairman; Attorney based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; KKR Saudi Limited Chairman.
  • Mr. Robert Hager, American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar Founding Chairman; Attorney based in Doha, Qatar.
  • Mr. Steve Lutes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Middle East Affairs.
  • Ms. Sarah Karle, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Director of Middle East Affairs.
  • Ms. Liz Beneski, American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi Chief Executive Director.
  • Ms. Mary McGinnis, American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain Executive Director.
  • Mr. Fred Shuaibi, American Business Council of Kuwait Board Member.

Moderator:

  • Mr. Mike Jones, Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce Washington, D.C. Representative; Capitol Capital Group, LLC Founding President.

Welcome and Context Provider:

  • Dr. John Duke Anthony, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Founding President and CEO.

Audio and video recordings of the program are available above and below, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.

“How to Grow U.S.-GCC Trade, Economic Cooperation, and Investment Opportunities?” podcast (.mp3)

“Saudi Arabia Transformation: Uncertainty and Sustainability” Book Discussion

On February 16, 2021, the National Council and the U.S.-Saudi Business Council convened an online book discussion of Saudi Arabia Transformation: Uncertainty and Sustainability.

 

 

Joining the program were:

Featured Specialist:

  • Dr. Turki Faisal Al Rasheed, Author, Saudi Arabia Transformation: Uncertainty and Sustainability (Routledge 2021); Golden Grass, Inc. Founder and Chief Executive Officer; University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Adjunct Professor.

Commentator:

  • Dr. Paul Joyce, University of Birmingham (UK) Institute of Local Government Studies Associate; Leeds Beckett University Visiting Professor in Public Management; International Institute of Administrative Sciences Publications Director.

Moderator and Discussant:

  • Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, U.S.-Saudi Business Council President and CEO.

Welcome and Context Provider:

  • Dr. John Duke Anthony, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Founding President and CEO.

Audio and video recordings of the program are available above and below, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.

“‘Saudi Arabia Transformation: Uncertainty and Sustainability’ Book Discussion” podcast (.mp3)

Business, Trade, and Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia: What You Need to Know

On October 22, 2020, the National Council and the World Trade Center Washington, DC convened a roundtable discussion on “Business, Trade, and Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia: What You Need to Know.”

 

 

Joining the program were:

Welcoming Remarks:

  • Mr. Andrew Gelfuso, World Trade Center Washington, DC Director; TCMA at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Vice President.

Context Provider:

  • Dr. John Duke Anthony, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Founding President and CEO.

Featured Specialists:

  • Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, U.S.-Saudi Business Council President and CEO.
  • Mr. Ahmed Abuzinadah, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. Commercial Attaché.
  • Mr. Abdulrahman T. Bakir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Investment U.S. Office Vice President.

Audio and video recordings of the program are available above and below, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.

 

 

“Business, Trade, and Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia: What You Need to Know” podcast (.mp3)

Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Opportunity in Saudi Arabia

On June 17, 2020, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce convened a discussion exploring business and investment dynamics in Saudi Arabia titled “Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Opportunity: Taking Stock of an Extraordinary Moment in the Saudi Arabian-United States Business Relationship.”

 

 

Joining the program were:

Featured Specialists:

  • Mr. Christopher Johnson, Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce Chairman; Attorney based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; KKR Saudi Limited Chairman.
  • Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council President and Chief Executive Officer; Former Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce Chairman; National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Board of Directors Member.
  • Mr. Ahmed Abuzinadah, Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. Commercial Attaché.

Context Provider and Moderator:

  • Dr. John Duke Anthony, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Founding President and CEO.

Welcoming Remarks:

  • Mr. Patrick Mancino, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Executive Vice President and Director of Development.

Audio and video recordings of the program are available above and below, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and elsewhere.

 

 

“Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Opportunity: Taking Stock of an Extraordinary Moment in the Saudi Arabian-United States Business Relationship” podcast (.mp3)

The Future of U.S.-GCC Trade and Investment

On March 29, 2017, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, the Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing on “The Future of U.S.-GCC Trade and Investment” in Washington, DC.

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony speaks at the Council’s March 29, 2017, public affairs briefing on “The Future of U.S.-GCC Trade and Investment.”

Featured specialists included Dr. John Duke Anthony, Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, Mr. Christopher Johnson, Ms. Nahlah Al-Jubeir, Mr. Robert Hager, Mr. Mike Jones, and Dr. Karl Petrick.

A podcast of the event can be found below as well as in iTunes along with recordings of other National Council programs: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“The Future of U.S.-GCC Trade and Investment” podcast (.mp3)